MATCH INFO

Poland holds off a late rally by Serbia in Trujillo

Zuzanna Czyznielewska scored 17 points for Poland during the five sets match against Serbia in Trujillo, Peru

Trujillo, Peru, July 26, 2011—Poland recovered in the fifth set after dropping two consecutive sets to Serbia 3-2 (25-21, 25-17, 14-25, 18-25, 15-11) in a Pool H matchup of the second round of the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Junior World Championship in Peru 2011.

Poland improved their record to (1-3). Serbia fell to (1-3).

Poland’s Zuzanna Czyznielewska, who has scored the second most points in the tournament, finished with 17 points. Poland’s Aleksandra Sikorska, who has averaged the second most blocks, had four blocks. Serbia’s Maja Savic, who is right behind Sikorska averaging the third most blocks, also recorded four blocks. As a team, Serbia had 19 kill blocks compared to nine for Poland, even though Poland has had the second most in the tournament.

Poland scored four of the first five points of the match, but Serbia tied the score at four. The teams battled the entire set, frequently trading leads. Poland won the set, with Anna Lozowska securing the win with a powerful kill. Serbia benefited from 11 opponent errors, compared to only two for Poland.

Poland began to pull away in the second set due to the precise serving of Aleksandra Sikorska. Through the first two sets, Poland scored five points off of serves, compared to one for Serbia. Poland made fewer mistakes in the second set, committing five errors.

With their backs against the wall trailing by two sets, Serbia played well, and led for much of the third set. Serbia had a balanced attack, with eight players scoring two or more points, compared to six for Poland. By recording 12 blocks through the first three sets, Serbia had twice as many as Poland.

The momentum for Serbia continued into the fourth set, as they scored five of the first six points. Serbia continued to play well, especially on defense, and Danica Radenkovic continued to set the ball well. Through four sets, Poland had four players with double-digit point totals, while Serbia had one.

In the decisive fifth set, Poland regrouped and scored the first six points of the set, behind the serving of Ewelina Mikolajewska, and led the entire set. Zuzanna Czyznielewska won the match for Poland with a ferocious kill.

Poland will next play against Russia at 9.30 on July 27. Serbia will challenge Egypt at 11.30 on July 27.